Virtual Vittles

Extraordinary Rides

Most consumers purchase an SUV for hauling passengers or cargo. Because of this, many are boring to drive. But Acura has solved this issue with its RDX.

The Acura RDX is a great daily commuter, but it has been engineered with entertaining driving characteristics. It is fast, has responsive steering and handles like a champ in tight corners. In short, this is a fun-to-drive experience.

Under the hood is a small, 2.0-liter engine cranking 272 turbocharged horsepower, that is hooked to a modern, 10-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are on the steering wheel, so gears can be chosen manually if desired.

We tried the upgraded SH-AWD version, which has a sophisticated all-wheel drive unit that distributes torque to any wheel that needs it for maximum traction, on or off the pavement. Fuel economy is claimed to be 21/26 mpg. During tests, it was 25 mpg for us on highway trips.

To enchant performance, the computer drive offers four drive modes: comfort, sports, sport+ and snow. All of this is done at the push of a button. The transmission shifter is a push-button design, which is easier to use and takes up less room.

In daily commuting, the RDX does its job, with seating for five. In the back, it has 30 cubic feet of cargo room—or 59 if the secondrow seats are folded. The ride is comfortable, and the sound system pipes great sound out of those 16 speakers. Many will find the finger touch pad that controls the infotainment system annoying to use, but it becomes easier to live with after some practice.

Where the RDX shines is when it is driven hard. Just put the computer in sport mode, crank up the engine so turbo kicks in, and Acura RDX Turbo takes the boredom out of SUVs By C.A. Haire

The 2020 Acura RDX Turbo is reasonably priced at $46,795 for the bells and whistles. (Photos by C.A. Haire)

this vehicle moves out in a hurry. On back, twisty, country roads, the AWD system grips the pavement like glue, so taking corners at full throttle is great fun. The brakes stop this SUV in a hurry as well. The more aggressive this SUV is driven, the happier it is.

The starting price of an RDX is about $38,000 for the base two-wheel drive model. But for maximum driving pleasure, this upgraded SH-AWD A-SPEC version is what you need. It comes loaded with everything, so there are no options. Thus, the total tab of $46,795 is more than reasonable.

ACROSS

1 Easter treat 4 Wager 7 Retain 11 Metric measure 13 Rowboat need 14 Sleeping 15 Flow like molasses 16 Chum, nowadays 17 Actor Brad 18 Grassland 20 Opening course, often 22 Erstwhile garment 24 Hitchcock classic 28 Spotted insect 32 Radiant 33 Champing at the bit 34 Bathroom fixture 36 Yorkshire river 37 Narc's measures 39 Croquet equipment 41 Catch 43 Second person 44 Related to 5-Down 46 Use a Brillo pad 50 Ballerina's frill 53 Cauldron 55 Japanese zither 56 Press 57 Flightless bird 58 Calendar quota 59 Trudge 60 Kenny G's instrument 61 That girl

DOWN

1 Ids' counterparts 2 Get bigger 3 Middle East strip 4 Go up and down 5 Listeners 6 Army unit 7 Carefree 8 Sapporo sash 9 Allow 10 Banned insecticide 12 Carousel 19 Light touch 21 Portion of N.A. 23 Eviscerate 25 Hint 26 Emcee 27 Hasn't paid yet 28 Michigan, for one 29 Not "fer" 30 Nincompoop 31 Wrigley product 35 Reddish-brown horse 38 Perched 40 -- Angeles 42 They're calling

Danny Boy 45 Prolonged sleep 47 Fawns' mothers 48 Hexagonal state 49 Induce ennui 50 Gratuity 51 Web address 52 Excessively 54 Monkey suit